Bryan's Blog

Smile... and the whole world smiles with you

2011-10-07T11:11:00.004+08:00

Alright, so its been a while... not gonna update but... here's a smile to brighten up your day =)

Orange Juice

2011-06-04T01:13:00.010+08:00

Greetings, from the land of the Orang Utan.... LOL just kidding. You're probably wondering about the title so here goes. I recently bought a book, "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. In the book, there was an Orang Utan, named Orange Juice... so, it just came to my mind when I saw the picture of the Orang Utan above LOL. No deeper meaning to it XD

Anyway its been awhile since I've updated... (ermmm, awhile?) Many things have happened; made new friends, learned new things, attended classes, went on holidays and.... I'm in the 3rd week of my 2nd Academic Year in UMS. The new faculty is pretty cool. And it feels real good to finally have a place where you belong. Blah, nothing much to blog about... And aren't pictures supposed to say a thousand words?? So, some pictures =)

Tanjung Aru Beach, right before I flew back for the Raya break last year...

UMS School of Medicine 8th Batch

Dinner for ermmm.... CNY? LOL

Bald dude hugging Charlie

Went to Poring, Ranau

Hot spring?

Barbecue during Health Promotion at Kota Marudu

The team that brought meaning and life to the Health Promotion in Kampung Timbang Batu

Given IV drip during some unknown viral fever due to dehydration...

and...

I'm Superman... LOL

The end is near...

2010-11-05T18:03:00.001+08:00

Well not the 'end' as in "the end" end.

What I actually meant is that the first semester of med school is coming to an end.

Before that, let me apologize - as always, for the lack of update, to anyone still reading this(if there is LOL)

The official reason is; I'm too busy with med school life.

The actual reason; pure laziness paired with procrastination.

Looking back at my life since I started college, I'd say that I've learned many things(apart from the knowledge gained through lectures).

No longer do I have someone else to do my laundry.

The question I ask myself everyday; "What to eat for dinner??"

I started worrying about fuel consumption.

Have to buy my own groceries.

Wake up in time for lecture every morning.

Learnt how to tolerate people.

Learnt 'team' spirit?

Realized that the world isn't as simple as I once thought.

And the list goes on.

Still, I thank God, for this opportunity to learn. And for just being here; in a public university where the fees are subsidized.

The final exams for this semester starts on Monday. I really pray that God grant me the much needed strength and wisdom.

Short Update

2010-08-16T13:40:00.004+08:00

Its been SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long since I last updated XD.

Well, its been about a month since I started med school. Kinda got used to the place here already(and the food too =.=;; had food poisoning my 3rd week here)

Its the mid-sem break in 3 weeks time. Can't wait to go home =D

Some random images;

Cat in room

McD for dinner (whats left of it)

Kudat(pervninja/pedobear, if you're reading this, guess who is that in the pic)

UMS Pusat Pendidikan Perubatan Desa

Baby without brain

My textbooks(and other books too)

Just to show a few pictures LOL. Will probably blog more during the mid-sem break.

no idea for a title

2010-07-11T21:30:00.006+08:00

Ah, finally able to blog(first blog post from Sabah =p). Just a short update only =)

Orientation week is over, finally got into my permanent room(was in a temporary one previously). Sharing it with 3 other guys(a chinese guy and 2 kadazandusun guys)

Orientation week was filled with lots and lots of briefings(boring *yawn*). Blah blah blah.

Went shopping at 1Borneo for stuffs yesterday (its supposedly the biggest mall in Borneo)

Also went sight-seeing KK town the other day(thanks to Ewe Jin LOL).

and....

Lecture starts tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Been having coughs and sore throat since I arrived here last week. And I had to walk in the rain a couple of times(definitely not good for the coughs). Its been raining here almost every afternoon, sigh. I miss the warm and dry weather in Melaka LOL(never thought I'd say this)

Well, will blog more at some other time (I hope)

Hello

2010-07-02T08:03:00.007+08:00

Its been a while since I last updated, I know. While I've been away from the blog, here's what happened;

Yup, I've been offered a place in UMS's Medical Faculty.

I'm leaving for Sabah today =( at 4 p.m. (This'd probably be my last post from Melaka)

I wish I could say I'd write another post with lots and LOTS of pictures once I reach there but I know myself, I wouldn't LOL.

On another note, I passed my driving test, I'm officially a driver ~~under probation~~ Suet Yoong, you're probably the ONLY 19 year old without a driving license in Melaka LOL.

Blah blah blah, went to Fraser's Hill a few weeks back, church camp =D

Congregation of Covenant Baptist Church of Melaka

Gosh, just thinking about it makes me miss the weather there. Hot HOT Melaka =/

Right, back the the church, we're moving into a shoplot somewhere in Pertam Jaya, there is more info on the church's website. If you happen to be looking for a church to join, check it out please =D.

Yesterday,

I went to watch Toy Story 3. How long has it been since the last toy story?? It must be 10 years I think. Overall the movie was fun, the ending was a little sad though(No more Andy =( but hey, everything has to come to an end SOONER or later right?).

Not gonna spoil, but my favourite part of the show; the GIANT claw XD.

Well, thats about all I guess. Goodbye, for now.

Running out of days left

2010-05-27T00:08:00.003+08:00

Well, my holidays are coming to an end. *oh, no!*

Uni placement results are out by the 3rd week of June and the course itself starts on the 3rd of July.

1 month and 1 week would be a pretty good estimate of the time I have left to;

sleep,

eat,

sleep.

eat.

Haha.

On the other hand, I've passed the motorcycle JPJ test and I've started on my car driving

lessons. This whole driving thing is taking too long.

No, seriously. I'm like the only 19 year old in Melaka without a driving license. All my other

peers already have theirs. Imagine that.

Oh, and the sunflowers. They're dying. Its kinda sad but like all things in life, every thing comes to and end. Its just a matter of when.

And to end this post;

Well, thats just it.

(couldn't find an annoying large picture LOL)

...sloth

2010-05-04T04:36:00.006+08:00

It started off as a seed.

A couple of days later;

seedling.

Skip, skip, skip, 2 months later;

blooming flower.

And within 3 days;

the Sunflower and the camera-shy grasshopper.

Wow, time flies! Anyway, it was great fun growing sunflowers.

It is kinda satisfying to look at it and think "yeah, I've done it this time."

On the other hand, I do realize I haven't updated in months(I guess?). Well, sloth. So, to sum up my life for that period of time;

I've ate, sleep, ate, sleep, ate, sleep,ate, sleep... LOL, seriously what do you expect? I'm on holiday, still. Until end of June.

Apart from that, I've moved on from GIMP to Photoshop. FEAR ME! XD

And....

Domo-kun. LOL

p/s: only reason I'm blogging is because I had a nosebleed at 2 a.m. disrupting my sleep and I had nothing better to do than to blog. Feel lucky, blog. I wouldn't have touched you for months if not for that.

GRIN

2010-03-15T22:48:00.004+08:00

I had a bad day. Yup, bad day. The driving instructor just had to call me at 7.40 a.m. and deprive me of my additional 20 minutes rest. And on top of that, he was late. =.=

Well, putting that aside, I planted the seedlings(sunflower of course XD) into separate pots, 9 of them . Will post some pictures tomorrow. And there are 10 more seeds germinating as I type this XD.

Someone mentioned that growing "lots and lots of Sunflowers" was kinda weird..... errr I guess it is lah..... for a guy... (or are there any other guys out there sharing the same fascination for Sunflowers? Speak up XD)

And back to the "bad day" issue, I was supposed to watch Alice in Wonderland this evening with my siblings. Yes, was... we were late and our reservation "expired" XD. Hence we drove all the way down just to drive back home. I guess this kitty will have to wait Y.Y

*BIG GRIN*

p/s: I need a job..... holiday killsssssssss. Also, I love the weather nowadays. Rain FTW =D

Long Exposure II

2010-03-12T01:30:00.004+08:00

Continued from the post "Long Exposure" Credits to Ray Ng for photos.

Sunflower Week 1

2010-03-11T13:47:00.004+08:00

Long Exposure

2010-03-10T23:57:00.002+08:00

Green ball??? o.O

Well, my cousin, brother and I tried this out today, long exposure photography. The concept is simple, really. First, you just need to open the shutter long enough to capture light and movements, etc. etc. I'm not too well versed with that anyway. Still, it was fun.

For this, we attempted to create a light-saber using err, light. But as you can see, the light source was too small and the light-saber got crooked somehow =.=

And for this, we tried a combination of both multiple exposures and light painting. Pretty cool huh?
Oh, and before I forget. Credits to Ray Ng for his awesome cam. LOL

Sunflower Love

2010-03-07T23:13:00.005+08:00

Sunflowers.

Yup, I've started growing them again, for a second time. I bought both the Teddy Bear variety and the normal ones (Sunrich I think, not sure).

A lesson learnt from the previous attempt is that giving more isn't always the best. The seedlings died of Damping-off disease, a fungal disease caused by over-watering and poor drainage. To make things simple, I killed them because I watered too frequently.

Somehow this just reminds me of "Too Much Love Will Kill You" a line from a Queen's song with the same phrase as its title.

Too much love kills.

Not only flowers but animals, humans and everything.

I remember how I used to indulge my dog with salty food meant for human. Guess what happened to her?

You got it, her fur dropped. You thought you care by giving everything. The truth is, the excess love, care, items, food and feelings you shower them with will only do more harm than good. Overkill.

When a parent does it to a child, they spoil the child.

Do it to your pet, it gets sick.

To plants, you rob them of oxygen.

To humans, you invade their personal space.

So, the next time you care for something, be it a flower, a rabbit, a cat, a dog, a guy or a girl, always remember that you probably shouldn't put too much feelings into it. Do it in moderation. Excess love and care is suffocating, as much as undrained water is to a plant. Or at least that is what I learnt.

That being said, I hope that my sunflowers don't die this time.

Oh, and I think I'll do a time-lapse video once the seedlings sprout.

Lantern Festival

2010-02-27T20:21:00.005+08:00

Arghhh! It is the 15th day of the Chinese New Year tomorrow, otherwise known as the Chap Goh Mei. And sorry, no updates on my Chinese New Year. I had a bad one =(

Anyway, no elaboration on that XD.

Moving on, the STPM results was announced two days ago. And this is what I got;

Chemistry!!!! NO!!!! WHY????? Sigh. In case you can't see the picture I've got an A- for my Chemistry. In simple words, I screwed my chance of getting a 4.0 when I "decided not to do so well" for my Chemistry paper due to some distractions =.=
Not gonna elaborate on that too.

Well, I guess I'll have to live with a 3.92.

Oh by the way. Congratulations Anila, for scoring a 4.0. You are teh most awesome Indian girl that I know =D. (No, I'm not racist, so don't start accusing me for being). And also to those people that did well for the STPM 2009 as well, congrats.

If you didn't get a perfect score or what you expected, my advice to you is to stop moping around and emo over what you don't have and instead be happy to know that you could have gotten worse results. No intention of offending anyone here, i'm just saying. (I'm telling myself the same thing T.T)

Anyway, I guess this is where we part ways, my friends(you know who you are). Brave new world ahead XD. And good luck, in your endeavours, whatever it may be.

And..... will try to update more often......... try.....

I am lazy X)

The year of the Tiger starts tomorrow.

2010-02-13T13:59:00.004+08:00

Happy CNY 2010 people. Its the eve of CNY today. Have a wonderful reunion dinner with your family if you are celebrating. There will be updates. And there will be pictures. I hope.

November 17th 1991 !!!!

2010-02-13T03:09:00.002+08:00

1991 FTW lol. Go join http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99660612134 if you are on Facebook. 1991 babies of course =D

Wincest XD

2010-02-11T18:37:00.016+08:00

Finally, an update. RAWR!!!!!

Firstly, my sunflower died. I don't know why, but the seedlings(yup seedlings, all 6 of them) died overnight. I mean, one moment it was there basking in the sunlight and the next, it is all dried up and withered. Lifeless. My best guess is damping-off disease.

Two weeks of waiting for the seedlings to sprout + one week of growing sprout-lings. Gone.

Just like that. I guess that is what life is all about. Being a bitch.

Forgive my bitterness but really, life is a bitter pill to swallow.

Yesterday, Anila finally got me to read some slash. If you don't know what slash is weekeepeedeeah says;

Slash fiction is a genre of fan fiction that focuses on the depiction of romantic or sexual relationships between fictional characters.^[1]^[2] While the term was originally restricted to stories in which male media characters were involved in an explicit adult relationship as a primary plot element, it is now often used to refer to any fan story containing a pairing between same-sex characters, although many fans distinguish the female-focused variety as a separate genre commonly referred to as femslash. The characters are usually not engaged in such relationships in their respective fictional universes. The majority of slash fiction writers are believed to be heterosexual females.^[3]

"Your Scent On My Finger" I mean, come on. just the title itself sounds wrong. Its a Supernatural fanfic by the way. Screw you Anila, you've spoiled my innocent mind with your slash-es XD. Okay just kidding, but slash just ain't my cup of tea =D.

Teddy Bear (Day 6)

2010-01-19T14:38:00.002+08:00

Almost a week, still no sign of emerged shoots yet... I planted 11 seeds in 3 different pots, one of them in my bedroom. 4-9 more days left for the shoots to emerge. Hopefully it will. =)

Teddy Bear

2010-01-13T00:02:00.007+08:00

Alright Anila, I've updated. See? Stop complaining XD.

Anyway, I woke up at 9 today (Yay! Considering my 7-day-streak-of-waking-up-at-1pm minus Sunday of course, 'coz gotta go church XD)

It was not totally random, I set the alarm yesterday. See, I was supposed to go for this briefing about my new job at 11 a.m.So I had my bath, ate breakfast and then left home. And then while waiting for a traffic light near Jusco, Benjamin Goo messaged saying I wasn't called for the briefing because the 3 of us didn't get the job(bro, me and him). Totally WTF

lalalalaaaa, despite being oh!-my-world-is-grey sad (not really XD) we decided to go to school to collect our MUET results slip. Yay Band Five, again... with only a score of 221, on mark less than my previous result.Later on in the evening, there was a black-out. So, with the house all dark and hot and humid and blah and blah blah blah... my family decided to go out.

I bought this

Yup! Sunflower seeds. It is a different variety than the big yellow sunflower but it definitely is a

Helianthus Annuus. Anyway gewgle says;

The Teddy Bear sunflower, 'Helianthus annuus', is a dwarf sunflower plant with many 4 to 6 inch double yellow-gold flowers that look like huge mums. Teddy Bear sunflowers are annual that blooms mid-summer to fall. It will grow in almost any soil and is drought tolerant but, for larger and profuse flowering, good moisture is required.

The Teddy Bear sunflower should be planted after the average last frost date. A second planting 2 weeks after the initial planting and a third planting 2 weeks later will produce attractive foliage and flowers until the first fall frost. It makes an excellent cut flower and is also good when used as a short border. Place this plant in full sun for best results.

It's supposed to be really small and fluffy, not the usual big ones. Oh well, I'll be planting one in my bedroom by the window tomorrow and a couple of seeds outdoors and we'll see how it looks like in a few weeks.

Bye 2009, Hello 2010

2010-01-01T00:34:00.005+08:00

Well, I never wanted to have a post on the first day of this new year. But oh well, I manage to overcome my laziness. So, here goes.

2009 for me was a continuation of 2008. This is partly due to my Form 6 life which didn't allow me to experience both years as distinct years. I still remember last December 2008. We were so busy catching insects, attending tuition classes, not to forget Mr. Khoo's extra classes. It was truly hectic and at the same time, fun. Come January, February, April, May, etc. etc., things started getting busier. Tests, Exams, Trial Exams and finally STPM itself.

Looking back at the year in detail, it definitely made me grow in many different ways. Along the way, I've lost friends. It is sad, but nothing can be done about it no? And at the same time I've gained new friends as well. These people are one of the few reasons I've enjoyed 2009.

Thank you Anila. Thank you for replying my smses no matter how silly it sounded. Thanks for being there to stop me from being stupid, and thanks for the great pasta XD. You've truly been a great friend.

Thank you Beng Choon. Its been really fun knowing you, your unorthodox way of thinking, our maths squabble in class, etc. etc.

Thank you Wen Jean. I'm glad I met you. You made Form Six really fun for me. Thanks for replying my "emo messages". Thanks for the countless time I rode in your car for free. Thanks for being just who you are. Thanks for being able to stand my default-ness. Thanks for everything.

I think I've mentioned everyone. OK lets move on.....

Haha, just kidding. Of course I won't forget about you Silky. Thanks for listening to my crap. Thanks for being my partner in class. Thanks for everything.

Okay, now to move on. In 2009;

I got slapped.

I went on stage and embarrassed myself =.=

I finished my STPM

I got a new computer

I got a sore thumb from text messaging

I started learning to drive (still learning)

I smashed my first license plate (while driving illegally)

I hope 2010 will be more productive and fruitful than 2009 XD

And people, enjoy it, we have onnly 2 more years to live. The world is coming to an end soon, 2012. Geomagnetic reversals. Oh noes.

Just kidding. Have, a blessed 2010 people.

KPP tomorrow

2009-12-21T00:08:00.001+08:00

Sigh. Finally getting my license. But...... before that....... I have the KPP, some super long course, 8 hours I think. Somebody save me. I'll die of boredom =.=

Of Calculus And Wharton's Duct

2009-12-15T17:03:00.008+08:00

No not that branch of mathematics. Its this weird mass of inorganic calcium and sodium phosphate salt deposited around some organic material. And of course, Wharton's Duct, referring to the 5cm long duct connected to the submandibular gland.

So, calculus in Wharton's Duct = Silolithiasis -> the formation of stones in the salivary glands

So, in short, I can't drool.

'cause it hurts when I do.

Wanna know how it feels? Ok, go drink 4 glass of water. And tie your weenie with a rubber band (er... for females, just block your peehole with anything)

"Aiya, remove it only la...."

Ok sure, I'll ask the doctor to do it =)

"WTF is dat???"

Notice the area circled in green. There is this red arrow pointing at a small spot. That is the calculus. And its located at the opening of the duct, just right above the glands =.=

So, solution is - surgical removal. Of the whole gland. Yes, I said the whole gland.

So according to google;

What are the possible problems?
•Bleeding from the wound is unlikely to be a problem. If it occurs it usually does so within the first 12 hours of surgery which is why you need to stay in hospital overnight.
•Infection is uncommon but if your surgeon thinks it may happen to you a short course of antibiotics will be prescribed.
•Very rarely, a salivary fistula may occur in instances where the gland was partially removed.
•Weakness of the corner of the mouth and lower lip may occur.
•Bruising of the neck around and below the wound, especially, in the elderly.

What does nerve damage mean?
There are three nerves that lie close to the submandibular gland that can be damaged during its removal. Most nerve damage occurs as a result of bruising of the nerves since they are held out of the way and protected during surgery. If nerve damage occurs it is usually temporary. The following three nerves can be damaged all with varying results:
•Weakness of the lower lip - a lower branch of the facial nerve (the marginal mandibular branch) is the nerve most likely to be bruised in the removal of a submandibular gland. If bruising occurs it affects the movement of your lower lip, leading to a slightly crooked smile.
•Numbness of the tongue - the lingual nerve is rarely bruised. Since it is the nerve that supplies feeling to the side of the tongue bruising results in a tingly or numb feeling in the tongue, similar to the sensation after having an injection at the dentist. Loss of taste could also result from this injury.
•Restricted tongue movement - the hypoglossal nerve is only very rarely bruised. It is a nerve that makes the tongue move and damage can therefore result in decrease of tongue movement.

Is permanent nerve damage possible?
In general, nerve damage is temporary, although it can take several months for them to recover. Permanent damage is possible and usually occurs in only the most difficult cases.

If a salivary gland is removed will I be left with a dry mouth?
The removal of one submandibular gland will not have an impact on the amount of saliva that you produce. There are many other salivary glands left in and around the mouth that will still keep it moist.

Weakness of the lower lip!!! WTF, gonna become like Rocky ar? "Butmm ain'tmmm aboutmm howmm hardmm youmm hitmmm..." =.=

Argh, I know the risk is low but, I'm a pussy and pussies run.

So, this is definitely a no. I'll wait and see if the calculus moves further up to the opening.

Unrelated to the above. Holiday sucks. No staring (yup you know who you are =.=) , No cocking, No studying, Nothing!!!

Sigh. Lets see if I can find something useful to do.

And Anila, happy now?

And it is over...

2009-12-11T01:51:00.002+08:00

Finally. sigh. But lazy wanna update =.= Maybe later. 7 more months to blog XD

12 more days...

2009-11-28T13:54:00.003+08:00

Just a short post...

Bio, Chem Pa and Maths.... Over. Yay! Four more to go. And the super long break in between the coming papers is retarded =.=

And yes, 12 more days to go. Finally, its coming near. Freedom =)

And drew this while preparing for PA =.= Too much time on my hands XD

Emocat says Hi!

2009-11-22T15:29:00.003+08:00

bio was a piece of cake

2009-11-20T18:49:00.002+08:00

Yeah right Kin Wee... =.= Ok er.., maybe la, seem a little easy? Come on 8 marks just for writing down the triplet codes?? But still, I won't say its super easy (Insurance if I don't get an A for Biology XD).

And one down. Seven to go. 20 more days!

And yes, just a short update. I'm off now.

Short update

2009-10-19T11:26:00.002+08:00

Hmmm just a short update. Won't be updating for a very long time I guess. Its 30 days to STPM and well, I guess I need to do something at least. Study maybe? I don't know man..

This looks fun (Some weird tagging game I guess)

2009-09-25T14:54:00.007+08:00

I don't really know what is going on with this tag thingy but I guess that I have to answer these if I got tagged. Well, Yiting tagged me. So, here I go. Second post in a day, I know.

001. Real Name : Bryan Kek

002. Nickname(s) : Bryan? Bry? Yan?

003. Age : 17.....

004. Zodiac Sign : Scorpio

005. Male or Female : Male

006. Elementary : SRK Tengkera 1

007. Middle School: MHS

008. High School : MHS

009. College School : Not time yet

010. Hair colour : Black..

011. Long or Short : Normal dude hair

012. Loud or Quiet : Er, I dunno. Depends on mood

013. Sweats or Jeans : Jeans

014. Phone or Camera : Camera. My previous camera got trashed

015. Health Freak : Err... No

016. Drink or Smoke : Drink

017. Do you have a crush on someone : Yes?

018. Eat or Drink : Eat. Then drink

019. Piercings : Nope

020. Tattoos : Nope

021. Social or Anti-Social: Anti

022. First Piercing : Never had any

023. First Relationship : I dunno, I guess it doesn't count. No

024. First Best Friend : I can't remember who.

Sorry, whoever you are.

025. First Award : Er, kindergarten?

026. First Kiss : Er, family?

027. First Pet : Birds.

028. First Big Vacation : Thai I guess? Don't remember

029. First Love at first sight: Er, you don't really expect me to publicize it right?

030. First Big Birthday : 4 year old? I dunno man...

CURRENTLY:

049. Eating : Hmm.. dunno

050. Drink : Saliva

051. Excitement Level : Kinda.

052. I'm about to : Sleep

053. Listening to : My thoughts

054. Plan for today : Sleep, dream...

055. Waiting for : My turn to come

056. Energy Level : Super hyped up

057. Thinking of someone: Er yea, you're really nosy

058. Want kids? : Not now

059. Want to get married?: If she appears.

060. Careers in mind? : Dunno. Kutip sampah

Which is better in the boy/girl you like:

Er, trying to pry? LOL.. I'm gonna just state my preference.

068. Lips or Eyes? : Eyes

069. Romantic or Funny? : Funny..

070. Shorter or Taller? : Shorter, I don't like taller girls

071. Protective or Caring? : Caring

072. Romantic or Spontaneous? : Spontaneous

073. Nice Stomach or Nice Arms?: Dunno... Nice stomach?

074. Sensitive or Loud? : Sensitive, er a little. Loud at certain time.

075. Hook-up or Relationship? : Relationship

076. Trouble Maker or Hesitant? : Hesitant?

Have you ever:

080. Lost glasses or contacts : Yea

081. Ran away from home : Never

082. Held a gun/knife for self defence: Nope

083. Killed somebody : I would do so in a heartbeat

084. Broken someone's heart : I dunno, maybe. No one ever tells me about it

085. Been arrested : Yes, err... No

087. Cried when someone died : Yes

Do you believe in:

089. Yourself : I only have myself to believe in.

090. Miracles : Yeah...

091. Love at first sight: Yeah I guess

092. Heaven : Yes.

093. Santa Claus : Yes. He is a fat pedophile dressed in red molesting kids in December

094. Tooth Fairy : No I guess

095. Kiss in the first date: Never had a 1 on 1

Truthfully:

Ok this is getting kinda invasive =.= , just yes/no from here on

097. Is there someone you would want to be with right now? :

Yes

098. Are you seriously happy with where you're in life now? :

Yes

099. Do you believe in God? :

Yes( Its his fan-club I have a problem with)

100. Post as 100 truths and tag people:

I don't wanna tag. This is dumb. Swt.

Ok, this is the first and last time I'm doing this...

Look at this...

2009-09-25T13:34:00.003+08:00

So cute HAHA

Hey! Its 6 a.m, Monday. Better go to school...

2009-09-21T17:01:00.002+08:00

That was exactly my thought when I woke up this morning. Having gone through almost every Monday for the past 7 years that way, I guess it became a part of me. Well, that could be a reason. Another reason I guess would be me wanting to go back to school. Throughout my life ( 10+ years of schooling) I've always loved the holidays. Now, I'm not so sure.

Its very near to STPM already(I've mentioned this 3 times now, I know), which also means that schooling life is coming to an end. After this would be college life..... New environment, new people, etc. etc. I hate to change I guess.

But alas, no matter how much I dread it, there is absolutely no way to stop it from happening. We all have to grow up ultimately. Will we still keep in touch after the Exams? Hang out like we used to? I can just hope and pray.

Inactive

2009-09-14T21:17:00.002+08:00

Wow, can't really believe that time flies. Just noticed that its been about a month since the last post. Well, the trials are over (at least for the science student, it is) and I realized how much I errr... suck? Yeah, I suck. And in 60+ days, it is STPM. Oh god! Am I gonna make it? I try not to think of it. I've been feeling very hmm... motivation-deprived this past few weeks. I don't know why. Ok, maybe I know why. But still... nothing can be done. I really am in deep shit this time.

On another note, I just watched Orphan last Saturday with a couple of classmates. Really sick. In short, its a good movie. Will not spoil it by elaborating further.

Just something random, to anyone feeling depressed, down, sad, etc. etc.

Cheer up.

Here is perseverance , cost me 1750 gold XD

Now you have 125% mana regen, 5 hp/s regen and +10 damage. Go kick asses.

Lol WTF am I crapping about? Anyway persevere. Try harder, endure. You can make it. (Including myself, yeah)

*sigh* Gotta go study now. Okay, try to study XD.

Les Paul: The rock n' roll pioneer who didn't play rock

2009-08-14T20:40:00.005+08:00

Les Paul, the virtuoso guitarist and inventor whose solid-body electric guitar and recording studio innovations changed the course of 20th-century popular music, died Thursday in White Plains. He was 94. Pneumonia took him.

An inductee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame, Paul is credited as the inventor of the electric body guitar and the pioneer of recording techniques like electronic echo and multi-tracking. Paul also had a celebrated career as both a solo artist and with singer Mary Ford, his wife until 1964. In 2003,Rolling Stone named Les Paul to our list of the Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and his influence on guitar greats who followed him is undeniable. “He was one of the most stellar human beings I’ve ever known,” Slash posted on his Twitter today, referring to Paul as his “friend and mentor.” Chickenfoot guitarist Joe Satriani released a statement that reads, “Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was the original guitar hero, and the kindest of souls.”

Les Paul and BB King, shortly before Paul doused the axe in flames and solo'd with his teeth. Photograph: Richard Drew/AP

But the irony is that Paul only acquiesced to playing rock when he'd reached his 90s. Paul's 1951 hit duet with Mary Ford, How High the Moon, was one of the prototypes for rock'n'roll, but when Elvis exploded, Paul and so many other jazzers were left on the shelf.

When, after several years of urging, he persuaded Gibson to make an expensive guitar bearing his name, Paul was merely thinking about giving jazz and country a warmer, deeper and more sustained sound – and yet it was the brutalisation of the design classic, the distortion meted out by John Lee Hooker and the electric blues pioneers, that led to it being embraced by everyone from Keith Richards to the Sex Pistols' Steve Jones, and Paul McCartney to Slash.

Paul would later recall that he began developing the solid-body electric guitar when, as a teenage hillbilly singer called Rhubarb Red, he was passed a note at a barbecue-stand hop informing him his guitar was too quiet. When Paul turned it up, he quickly realised solidity was the solution to avoid feedback, and that filling the body with tablecloths and dirty socks didn't really do the job, nor did plaster of Paris. Wood was the answer, he concluded, and took a piece of railway sleeper, and a telephone earpiece to use as pick-up, and linked it to his mother's radio. A creation known as "The Log" was born.

The Log might have been the first solid-body Spanish guitar, but the Fender and Rickenbacker came out before the Gibson Les Paul emerged in 1952. Paul had only managed to get his idea produced because he'd become a household name with a national TV show. The Gibson Les Paul was reassuringly expensive, its neck based on a mandolin design from the 1890s and incorporating "humbucker" pickups to avoid the kind of buzzing made by Fender Telecasters, along with other pleasing aesthetics.

Les Paul's involvement in Ted McCarty's final design, the book 50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul claims, didn't stretch much further than choosing its gold colour to make it look expensive and black because "it makes your fingers appear to move faster" and "looks classy – like a tuxedo".

So while Les Paul was more directly responsible for inventing overdubs, multitracking and electronic delay and reverb gizmos, the guitar with which his name will be forever associated was more of a front, a big-name endorsement.

It wouldn't be fully recognised until Keith Richard, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton and Peter Green brandished the classic in the 60s. By then Gibson had changed its design and no longer produced Les Pauls. Spurred on by BB King and other bluesmen, the British blues musicians forced the guitar back on the market (Gibson relaunched the standard in 1968 after an eight-year gap), and made the 2,000 remaining goldtop and custom models change hands for extortionate amounts. It's down to Clapton and co, and successive generations of guitar heroes leading right up to Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, that the burnished warmth of the Gibson Les Paul created a distinct sound, as opposed to that of the more caustic Fender.

From (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction to Sweet Child O' Mine, the legacy of Les Paul lives on, even if things turned out quite differently to how the Django Reinhardt and Bing Crosby acolyte envisaged. Still, all lovers of warm, dense, solid tones should raise a toast to Les Paul.

Sources:http://www.guardian.co.uk , http://www.rollingstone.com

MARK KEMP

Posted Aug 13, 2009 6:20 PM

With apologies to Hendrix and Clapton, inventor and musician Les Paul, who died Wednesday at 94, was the most influential rock guitarist ever — even though he was only tangentially involved in rock. Paul was important not just for his instrumental virtuosity, but also for his groundbreaking studio developments and creation of the Gibson solid-body guitar that bears his name, the quintessential rock instrument made famous by such legends as Clapton, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen.

Paul, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 by guitarist Jeff Beck, died in White Plains, New York, from complications of pneumonia. At the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, where Paul helped develop state-of-the-art recording studios beginning in 1948, the flag was lowered to half-mast.

Les Paul's life in photos: Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen and more stars with the father of the electric guitar.

Shortly after news of his death hit the Web on Thursday, Facebook and Twitter feeds lit up with tributes. Slash, whom Paul referred to last year as a "dear friend," tweeted that the guitar innovator "was one of the most stellar human beings I've ever known."

Gary Rossington, the Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist whose fiery Les Paul licks help bring "Free Bird" to its chaotic climax, thinks about Paul every time he steps in front of an audience. "I play a Les Paul guitar every night," said Rossington, whose admiration for Paul doesn't stop when he leaves the stage. "I have a framed T-shirt on my wall signed by Les Paul. He was an amazing guitarist."

Derek Trucks remembers playing at Paul's 90th birthday concert at Carnegie Hall in 2005. "We had some great musical moments," said Trucks. "We did an instrumental version of 'Goodnight Irene.' He was always a really sweet guy."

More guitar greats on Paul's career.

By all accounts, Paul was humble about his importance to music and admired his fellow musicians, regardless of their age. "I learn from them, I enjoy them," he told Rolling Stone's Andy Greene in an unpublished interview last November. "If I'm around the rock guys, I enjoy playing along with them. When I'm with the jazz people, I enjoy playing jazz."

As a musician, Paul played a smooth but daring mixture of jazz and country. In addition to inventing his famous solid-body guitar in 1941, he developed studio techniques throughout the Thirties and Forties that are still used in music today, including delay and echo effects, as well as overdubbing and multitracking. His experimentation paved the way for such groundbreaking works as the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heats Club Band and Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, as well as almost every pop song on the charts today.

He formed the Les Paul Trio in the late Thirties, playing alongside stars like Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. By the late Forties, he and former wife Mary Ford began recording together, and throughout the Fifties scored a string of Top 10 hits for Capitol including "The Tennessee Waltz," "Mockingbird Hill" and "Vaya con Dios."

Watch footage of Slash, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora honoring Paul.

Born Lester William Polfuss on June 9, 1915, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, he learned the harmonica at age eight but soon moved on to the banjo and then guitar. All along, he invented devices to improve his instruments, like making a pickup to amplify his acoustic guitar. During his teens he played professionally with country bands and recorded hillbilly songs under the name Rhubarb Red. He also liked the jazzier style of guitarist Django Reinhardt, and after forming the Les Paul Trio in 1936, moved to New York City, where the Trio backed singers like Crosby and became regulars on Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians radio show.

Paul kept tinkering with new ways to make a guitar sound different, and by the early Forties had created a solid-body electric guitar that could prolong a single note, making it sound like a horn. Called "The Log," it was the precursor to his Gibson Les Paul guitar. He then began working on new studio techniques: putting microphones close to individual instruments to reduce noise and help separate specific sounds, playing and recording along with other recordings to create multiple tracks. By the late Fifties, he had invented an eight-track recording machine that would pave the way for producers like George Martin, who created much of the Beatles' mid-Sixties works using Paul's multitrack technology.

After a car accident in 1948 left Paul with a severe shoulder injury, he designed a guitar that allowed him to continue playing. That year, he and Ford released the hit " Brazil," a song that included six multitracked guitar parts. The following year, he launched a radio show and invented an effects-generating synthesizer called the "Les Paulverizer," whose technology is still used onstage by bands today.

Les Paul recalls inventing his solid-body electric guitar in a 1975 Rolling Stone Q&A.

His recording career with Ford flowered in the Fifties, and Paul was soon hired by the Gibson guitar company to design a new instrument. Introduced in 1952, his Gibson Les Paul was a variation on "The Log," but its sleek design had much more aesthetic appeal. "We had a monster," said Paul. "We had something that could really, really be powerful." A monster, indeed — it was so loud and so pretty that it eventually made its way into the hands of blues-rock pioneer Clapton and remains a staple of hard rock today, used by artists like Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica and U2's The Edge.

After divorcing Ford in 1964, Paul focused on his guitar designs, and continued creating effects and amplification devices. He performed occasionally, and in 1976 recorded the Grammy-winning Chester and Lester along with fellow guitar virtuoso Chet Atkins. In 1981, after undergoing heart bypass surgery, he began performing more regularly at jazz festivals and in New York clubs, with famous guests like Paul McCartney or Tony Bennett sometimes sitting in with him. In 2005, at age 90, Paul recorded American Made, World Played with a string of guests including Clapton, Beck and Keith Richards. The album won Grammy awards for best pop instrumental performance and best rock instrumental performance.

When asked last year if Paul thought he'd still be playing at 100, he said, "As long as the people put up with me, and I'm having fun doing it, why not do it?"

What happens when you cross a mouse and a dick?

2009-08-13T22:00:00.004+08:00

A short note; some may find this offensive.

Char, the Feisty Princess

2009-08-12T23:17:00.002+08:00

This is Charmaine. Recently, I saw this link posted by a friend of mine on facebook. At first sight, I was like "our feisty princess, bullets, weapons... hmm.. cute". So when I clicked on the link, I found out this.

"Our feisty princess Charmaine has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She is currently in the 4th stage and fighting hard. We are greatly saddened that such a sweet and cheerful little girl has to undergo so much pain and suffering at such a young age."

After further reading, I felt touched. I for one, knows what its like to lose someone dear to you. The pain is excruciating. What is worse is the fear of knowing that someone is dying slowly.

Currently, Char is at some hospital in New York undergoing a type of treatment with around 40- 50 % success rate.

So, to anyone reading this blog, I'm pleading for you to at least drop by http://ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment of encouragement for this brave little girl and her mother. They need it.

You can also contact her godmother, Jolene at ourfeistyprincess@gmail.com

Get more information about her family at http://ourfeistyprincess.com/

Or if you wish to donate, click here.

New Layout

2009-08-09T14:54:00.003+08:00

I've just changed the layout of this blog. Anyway, I'm currently lacking a header image. So, if anyone feel like helping me design one, feel free to do so. You can contact me at bryankek@gmail.com

On another note, sorry for the lack of update. I have been facing some technical difficulties this past week. (psst don't tell, just an excuse :P)

School err... holiday?

2009-08-01T13:40:00.006+08:00

Its been awhile since the last update. Anyway, MHS is closed for a week with all students and staffs placed under home quarantine due to suspicions that over 50 of the hostel boys have been infected with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. That happened yesterday.

Due to the lack of photos, I'll try my very best to describe what happened.

Sometime during recess, I started hearing rumor about some of the hostel boys being suspected of having the virus. One of my junior, Lai, was relating to me about how freaked out he was when one of his classmate came down with a high fever. Then I realized, it was not just him that was scared. Looking everywhere, I noticed some of the girls looking really scared, some guys with mask on their faces already.

On my way back to class, Eugene came running and was like "School is closed for one week, tell everyone". I thought he was just pulling my leg so I didn't really paid much attention to him.

And so, class went on as usual. Anyway, halfway through Mr. Khoo's lesson, an announcement came, asking for a perhimpunan gempar. It was so sudden. Everyone wasn't sure what to do. From then on, it was chaos.

Students were asked to gather in the hall. This of course caused many students to question the rationality of that move as the hall had been used to check for those suspected of having the virus not to mention the poor ventilation. Prefects shouting, reluctant students refusing to go in, people running out from the hall, etc. etc. Some described the action of having an emergency assembly in an enclosed hall as a ''mass-slaughter''. Personally, I find it a stupid move as well. They should've at least done it in an open space like the field.

While waiting for an official from the hospital to brief us about the virus, Mr. Chong, the senior assistant of administration urged the students not to spread false news as he had received several calls in the morning from concerned parents asking about news that several students and a teacher are down with the H1N1 flu. He said that this wasn't true, as they are only down with symptoms similar to the H1N1 flu. Bullshit. After that, the official came and bla bla bla, school closed.

Upon reaching home, I can't help but notice that everyone is happy about being placed under home quarantine. Its all over facebook. Well, I am too. I've been needing the break. No school, no tuition classes.

Anyway, its going to be a long and boring week.(I love school. Or to be more precise, the people there.) So, expect more updates...

And then she's 19...

2009-07-21T19:21:00.009+08:00

Last Saturday was Wan Wei's birthday. I don't really know her, but... birthdays are supposed to be fun, regardless of whether you really know the person or not. Anyway, we celebrated the occasion at Dataran Pahlawan's McD, just right after our swimming training.

I left the pool a little too early (before the girl herself =.=).

So, I arrived at the venue a little too early as well... And left early too... I'm an early person LOL... Anyway, here's a picture of the cake;

Just a simple cake, nothing too fancy

And the birthday girl;

"OMG!! OMG!! A CAKE!!!!" Lol, just kidding, she didn't actually sound like that. Heck, I don't even know what will she sound like XD.

And the emo boy;

Silk : "Why so long one... I got tuition le...."

Kin Wee : "Tiam la... don't disturb me, must solve the cube within 25 sec"

And many other random pictures;

What you want to eat??

Shy le..... Don't snap la...

Where is the cake??? I want cake!!! LOL

*SPEECHLESS* OMG!!! Is that Ryan???

And finally, the group photo;

And before I forget, photos are courtesy of Wen Jean. Thanks :P

Its not a matter of how hard you can get hit...

2009-07-18T12:55:00.006+08:00

There is a saying. I'm not sure from whom or where I heard it. It goes like this "Being a man is not about how hard you can get hit, its a matter of how many times you can rise again after being hit."

The thing about life is that no matter how hard you try, it just punches you right in the face. (That's one fact I learnt the hard way...)
You can choose to lay down and wallow in self pity, or you can choose to rise again...

Never give up. Have a vision, have a plan and make it happen. It may not be right now, but it will happen if its meant to be.. You may get hit again, many times, but its a matter of how many times you can stand after being hit.

On the other hand, some things are just meant to be, no matter how hard to try you'd just have to choose to stay down, rather than getting up and being hurt even more...

Halal Pork?

2009-07-14T18:55:00.005+08:00

According to Wikipedia,

Halal (حلال, ḥalāl, Halaal) is an Arabic term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law.

Also, according to the Qur'an 2:173

He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

Anyway have a look at this,

Notice the "halal" logo at the bottom right corner. Really hilarious. Those people over at China must've thought that the halal logo is required for them to market their stuffs here in Malaysia.

Anyway, we can't really blame them with all the fuss going on about having "halal hotels", "halal toothpaste", etc. etc.

The First Post

2009-07-13T22:49:00.001+08:00

Well, I don't really know how to start this post so I guess I'll start with a short introduction.

I'm Bryan, as the blog title suggest and I'm 17 going on 18 this year. So, as you should have been able to guess by now, I'm a student :D and am doing my 6th Form at Malacca High School(If you don't know where that is, google it). So thats all about me that I have to say for now. Nothing worth blogging at the moment...